Heads of House

Residential Heads of House

List of 11 members.

Pete Andras

Peter Andras has been at LCS for the past 14 years. He started his career in Belleville teaching an integrated outdoor education program at Bayside Secondary School. Peter teaches the Grade 11 and 12 Outdoor Education classes, coaches the 1st Alpine Racing team and has coached the Jr. and 1st Boys' Rugby teams since coming to LCS in 2003. Peter was the Head of Armstrong House before accepting the residential Head of House position in Upper Colebrook. Moving onto campus with his wife Sarah and two children, Nathan (10) and Sophie (5) they are looking forward to giving more to the entire LCS community.

Derek Doucet

Head of Ryder House, Pedagogical Coach, Modern Languages Teacher, Advisor

Derek Doucet has been the Residential Head of House of Ryder since 2013 and a member of the Lakefield College faculty since 2010. Throughout this time, Derek has taught French, outdoor education and has worked with teachers in his role as a Tech. Integrator and Pedagogical Coach. In addition to teaching, Derek has coached a variety of sports and has worked closely with others to introduce many new student programs at the school such as Safe Space, DELF and a trip to France for students in the French program. He was recently accepted to the Google Certified Innovator Academy as he explores innovative approaches to student learning. Before arriving at Lakefield, Derek taught at Greenwood College, was a camp director at Swallowdale Camp and a kindergarten and primary teacher in South Korea. Derek is joined in Ryder House by his spouse Erica '95, and future LCS alumni, son Nigel '27 and Roxanna '29.

Carrie Gilfillan

Carrie joined The Grove in 2006 as the Learning Strategist, starting up Lakefield's Learning Support program. Carrie's passion for supporting youth and understanding that learning happens 24/7 drew her to the residential side of the school and in 2011 she became the Head of Wadsworth House. Carrie was able to experience all aspects of residential life running all female houses, all male houses, and LCS' first coed residence. In September of 2016, Carrie moved across the field to Ondaatje House as it transitioned into a female residence, making it a warm and comforting place for all the girls that live there. Carrie has a passion for student well-being. She recently completed her Certificate in Applied Positive Psychology and plays a key role in LCS' THRIVE program.

Family and community are very important to Carrie and she feels very lucky to be able to share her Lakefield adventure with her family. Carrie's husband Rory is a passionate history teacher at LCS, avid reader, writer and runner. Their son Pen (12) and twins Lucy and Finn (5) love living on campus surrounded by the beautiful natural environment and tons of campus kid friends. Their home is completed by their dog Enzo and cats Harriet and Kobayashi.

Kerrie Hansler

Head of Moodie House, Director of Residences, Social Sciences Teacher, Advisor

Kerrie began her role as a Head of House in 2004 and took on the role of Director of Residences (Female Houses) in 2017. She loves residential life and feels it’s a privilege to work in boarding. She has a passion for helping students develop into independent, responsible young women who understand the importance of global citizenship. Kerrie currently teaches Grade 12 Canadian and International Law and Grade 10 Canadian History. Her love for social sciences and human rights combine well with her extensive travel experience and previous work leading service projects. In sharing stories of these experiential learning adventures, Kerrie hopes to inspire her residence and classroom students to become lifelong learners. Kerrie’s interests include photography, baking/cooking, travel and all things caffeinated! Kerrie is joined in Moodie House by her twin sons Nicolas (Nico) and Noah, their dog Jackson and cat Winston.

Garret Hart

Garret arrived at The Grove in 2002, working as a member of the residential team. His roles have included; Residential Assistant in Ondaatje (2002-2004) and a Head of House in both Grove House (2004-2010) and Cooper House (2010-present). Garret lives with his wife Jessica (Fitchette) Hart '97 and his children Isla and Jameson. Garret is involved in a broad range of activities at LCS, including; Outdoor Education Assistant Teacher, coach for the rugby, snowboard racing and waterfront programs and he manages the school's maple syrup and honey beekeeping programs! In his spare time, you may find him driving the Zamboni on the Bob Armstrong Rink, grooming the nordic ski trails or enjoying a quiet canoe ride on Lake Katchawanooka.

Jen Horrigan

Head of Grove House, Coordinator of International Student Affairs, Advisor

Jennifer Horrigan '99 graduated from LCS and continued her education at Providence College in Rhode Island. In 2004, she returned to LCS as an Assistant Head of House and School Life Assistant before becoming Head of Grove House. Jennifer is also the Coordinator of International Student Activities, helping international students transition to life at LCS as well as organizing trips during school holidays and helping students host cultural celebrations throughout the year. Jennifer is active in the local sports community as a golfer, softball player and equestrienne. She leads by example, encouraging students to lead a balanced life and continue to expand their comfort zone. Jennifer's favourite moments in the residence are informal snack times with the students where the best conversations happen and friendships are created.

Andrew Johnston

Head of Rashleigh House, Director of Residences, Outdoor Education Teacher

An LCS graduate of the Class of 1995, Andrew believes in the transformative power of challenging experiences. After benefitting from time spent at various summer camps in Ontario, as well as a year of international travel, Andrew continued to challenge himself academically in the Foundation Year Programme at the University of King's College where he studied the philosophy of the ancient and contemporary western world. His next challenges were provided by his time as an international student studying economics at the University of Adelaide, and by changing his major which allowed him to graduate with a BA (Hons) in history and political studies. Andrew’s educational focus has revolved around outdoor and experiential education, and he currently considers his dual role of outdoor education teacher and Head of Rashleigh House at LCS one that puts him in the running for the honour of "most fulfilling job." Creating opportunities for students to challenge themselves has become his purpose as an educator.

Andrew is privileged to be able to share his Lakefield experience with all the members of his family. His wife Kirsten provides broad support for the school community in her position as a guidance counsellor. Daughters Olivia (12) and Stella (8) have grown up in Rashleigh House, and make their father promise that they will never be required to move from their home. The Johnston family is rounded out by the recent addition of Maisy, a Portuguese Water Dog puppy who is most happy when given the task of helping to "clean" crumbs off the common room floor.

Jim McGowan

After six years of involvement with the day student group as Head of Armstrong House, Jim and his family (Kristeen, Madia, Harper and Jud) were excited to make the move onto campus when Jim took on responsibilities for Matthews House in the summer of 2013. In keeping with his own educational philosophy, Jim sees the ongoing development of character and resilience in the student as a key part of the LCS difference. Jim joined the staff of LCS in September 2003 after nine years of teaching in British Columbia and Ontario. Whether it is teaching in the English department at LCS, coaching in the hockey program, or travelling to Mount Everest with the Ondaatje Expedition in 2011, Jim feels fortunate to continue to be a part of the spirit of The Grove through so many varied experiences.

Adam Ross

Head of Lower Colebrook, Science and Outdoor Education Teacher, Advisor

Adam is in his second year as a head of house in Lower Colebrook, one year as a female and one year as a male residence and it is his ninth year in boarding altogether. Adam was a head of house and teacher at Upper Canada College in Toronto prior to coming to LCS. Adam lives with his wife Heather, who was also a head of house in Upper Colebrook, and son Ethan. In addition to residence, Adam is a biology and personal fitness teacher and has coached both the 1st and Jr. Basketball teams as well as Team Fitness.

Ali Webb

Ali has been a member of the Grove community since 2007. Over this time, Ali has been a member of the middle school and learning strategies teams. In addition to her current role as Head of House in Wadsworth, Ali is also serving as Pedagogical Coach and is teaching learning strategies. Ali is very grateful for the wonderful opportunities to grow both personally and professionally that LCS has provided her, and can't wait to learn more about life on campus in Wadsworth House. Her son Hunter (4) is very happy and excited to join the community of campus kids, and the family dog Frankie is most happy to enjoy his walks around the beautiful campus.

Vera Wilcox

After being a head of house at Ridley College for 12 years, Vera made the move to Lakefield College School to take up residence in Lower Colebrook for 14 years and then moved again to Uplands House where she is today. This year, Uplands became a co-ed house with six Grade 9 and three Grade 10 boys living on the lower level and 17 girls located on the upper level.

Along with her head of house responsibilities, Vera is also Director of Student Services and the travel co-ordinator. She is very much in the centre of student life helping grad students plan Friday and Saturday spirit/social events, spirit week, day trips, carnivals and Paper House events, in addition to organizing travel for long weekends and breaks. During the fall, she is involved with the Multi Sport Recreational activity which includes, but not limited to, recreational tennis, table tennis, badminton, frisbee golf, ultimate frisbee and swimming at Trent University. She loves spending time with her girls and boys in Uplands especially cooking, having tea times, chats and being a part of their daily lives as they navigate their adolescent journey at LCS. For Vera, the supportive community, the appreciation for the beautiful outdoor campus, event planning and the values of the school make her job truly enjoyable.